Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders: The Ultimate Exercise Program for Tension Relief (Paperback)

by Eric Franklin (Author) "One could say that tension is a place in the body that feels tight or hard, that hurts, or is knotted or cramped..." (more)
Key Phrases: enteric brain, active elongation, serratus anterior muscle, André Bernard, Mabel Todd (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Great ways to reduce the physical manifestations of stress." -- Simple Living Oasis, Spring 2003

"Helps the reader to understand the connection between emotional states and tension." -- The Dancing Times, January 2003

"If you're feeling your shoulders creep up to your ears from nerves, [this] might be just the book for you." -- Dance Spirit Magazine, July 2003

"Must read!" -- Today's Books

"[T]errific. I have neck and shoulder problems and this is the best thing I have ever read." -- Karen Kukurin

Product Description
A foolproof guide to releasing shoulder and neck tension, this book shows how imagery and touch can be used to eliminate stiffness and pain. It provides simple and effective exercises that can be done at home, at work, or on the road. Sufferers of upper body pain will learn how to detect and eradicate early signs of tension by better understanding the connection between emotional states and tension. These individuals will learn how to survive stressful situations calmly and without tensing a single muscle. An explanation of the anatomy of the shoulders provides a better understanding of how improving the alignment of the head, neck, and shoulders will ease the strain on muscles and joints and promote an aura of confidence and health.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Book Company; 1 edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871272482
• ISBN-13: 978-0871272485
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Stress > Exercise
  #14 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance
  #55 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Pain Management

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visualization = relief, March 22, 2006

By	Sparkle Reed "smartmouth" (MILWAUKEE, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Eric Franklin, a dancer and choreographer, has been teaching imaging techniques for years to dancers and others. Imaging is basically using visualization to relax the body. Sounds hokey? It isn't - it truly works!

I bought this book as I was having chronic shoulder tension and felt I wanted to try something new. The imaging techniques presented are simple - and you can do them any time, anywhere - with your mind being the only equipment needed!

Franklin goes into detail about how your shoulders and neck work - and has many different ways to aid your tension. Although visualization can be difficult for some people, his exercises make it simple and you are bound to find a few gems here to assist you in releasing your upper body stress.

There are pictures throughout - not the greatest artwork, but they convey what you are working on clearly enough. I found the language to be precise and easy to grasp. After using this book for a few weeks, I have been having less stress in my shoulder and am feeling much freer. I use a few of the techniques with my yoga students as well.

99 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Daily Guide to releasing stress and feeling WONDERFUL!, November 26, 2002

By	Karen Wells (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This book is entertaining, informative, intellegent, helpful, challenging and instructive on how to reduce tension and increase relaxation. Eric Franklin uses his words and pictures to easily teach us how to reduce neck and shoulder pain within a few minutes and sometimes just by using our imagination.

You don't have to go to a gym to do his exercises; all you need is the time and enough space to sit, stand or lie down.

This book is truly one that you will want to refer to on a regular basis to continue your journey of relaxation in your daily life.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for Everyone, November 2, 2006

By	Jane Austen "Barb" "schriftstellerin" (Montreal, Quebec, CANADA) - See all my reviews

The author uses visualization throughout the book, which only works if you are able to tap into this technique (e.g. "imagine two winking eyes on your collarbones......". I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't get my mind to cooperate, and finally gave up in frustration. However, if you are able to visualize, then you might find this book very useful.